RFYC Events and Cadet News

Saturday 10th September was the last cadet event and there was great fun for all in blustery conditions for racing in Toppers followed by a BBQ. Well done to all cadets receiving certificates and to Simon and Susan for their hard work all season in running the training.

Change over time

On Sunday 4th September 2011 the senior cadets of the club sailed to Newhaven for their end of season picnic. Lewis Smith and Robyn Dougall sailed Toppers whilst Emma Palmer and Emily Robertson sailed a 420. Safety cover was supplied by Ben MacDowell in Croft-na-caber together with Ken Dougall and Chris Howden in Zodiac One. Shore control VHF was handled by Emma’s mum from the clubhouse. A good days sail was had by all with the Toppers frequently trying to clean residual mud of their sails by doing dry capsizes! The ribs practiced engine trim, 360 reverse turns and emergency stops. Chris had his usual goody bag full of all types of “food” – a kind of aquatic mobile tuckshop – full marks to him. I am pleased to say that both the fishing and sailing communities lived harmoniously together during our short visit; the way it should be of course! A great time was had by all and we got back to the club just in time to put the boats away grab a bite to eat and watch the Fireworks display from various vantage points. Newhaven seems to be a fast becoming the cadets destination of choice for an easy and safe day out and we look forward to visiting again in 2012.

Two 13 year old cadets Robyn Dougall and Lewis Smith took part in the annual Commodores Rally to Aberdour, the first time cadets have joined the Royal Forth Yacht Club rally in a decade or two. They took around 1 hour 25mins to complete the 4.2 mile journey in blistering sun, the hottest day this season, beating some yachts in the process. Twenty boats of all sizes took part and Kenny Mackenzie led the way from start to finish sailing single handed in his yacht Hoodlum. The H boat Varrich hoisted her spinnaker and flew it from before the start right to the finish line in magnificent splendour, gaining them a prize in the process. The prizegiving on the pier saw everything from Smarties to wine being presented to the lucky winners.Barbeques were lit and many a feast devoured whilst the sound of bagpipes rang through the air courtesy of George Brown, Rob Cowie and Pete Hall. The Commodore Fiona Brown presided over a day that will be hard for the next Commodore to upstage, the tricky bit I believe is getting the sun to shine solidly from start to finish!
Report and photos thanks to K Dougall

Royal Forth Yacht Club cadets Emily Robertson and Lewis Smith are probably the first to have sailed to Newhaven Harbour for a picnic this year!! Rescue support was supplied by Chris Howden, assisted by Ken Dougall

Royal Forth Yacht Club cadet Robyn Dougall came 4th in the RYA Honda Rib
Challenge 2011 in the senior group. She was 2 seconds behind 3rd place and
there was 16 seconds between her and the competitor behind her. The competition was staged at Port Edgar on Saturday 11th June.
The winner came from Largs and was runner up in the British finals 2 years ago. Robyn, the youngest competitor, was the highest ranking girl in the competition with 4 of the top 5 being boys.

Congratulations to cadet member Jamie Calder who has qualified for the five boat team to represent Team GBR at the Optimist World Championships in New Zealand. He is only the fourth Scottish sailor to achieve this and the youngest at 12!

Boatman hours and tides, clubhouse and office hours

Generally the club house is opened by the cleaner or the first person on duty, and closed by the last.

Over the summer, the Club House will be open for members to use the facilities (including self service tea and coffee in the bar area):
– during the week – during staff working hours, generally opening by 09:00 and closing around 17:00 or when the boatman finishes in the evening;
– at weekends – a small team of volunteers will aim to ensure the clubhouse is open for members to use during the day, typically 09:00-17:00.
These times will be extended, and the bar opened, for the events advertised in the Events Calendar.